Physical Therapy for the Equestrian - What is it?

• A 14-Week Education & Activation Program.
• Designed to Optimize a Rider's Lumbopelvic Hip Function for Equestrian Performance.
• Based on Research & Clinically-Based Physical Therapy Principles.
• Created for Equestrians, by an Equestrian who:
  • Has, and currently trains, at the FEI level.
  • Understands the complexity of the horse/rider partnership, and the unique requirements of a rider on a moving, and sometimes unpredictable horse. 

What's an Education & Activation Program?

"If clients cannot independently maintain health status on their own, health professionals have failed to help them reach their true potential (Glanville 2000).

Education is one of THE most powerful forms of treatment a health-care provider can give to their clients.

Research supports this. 

If clients know what to do, why they are being asked to do it, how it relates to equestrian performance, and how to perform a self-treatment technique correctly, all they need to do is be consistent, show up, and do their best - whatever their best is on a given day. 

Activation (or Active Rehabilitation) is another one of THE most powerful forms of treatment a health-care provider can give to their clients. 

Research also supports this. 

If clients are consistent, an ACTIVE approach to treatment is what works over the long-term.

Our body is made to move, and if it is not trained to do that in a biomechanically correct way, it will not be happy! 

Why is the program 14-weeks long?

As you know from training your horse, learning, training, and correct muscle development takes time.

The same is true for you!

The modules in this program are progressive.

They are designed to build, one upon the other, so by the time you reach the final module, you will be performing a sport-specific training program designed to optimize your performance in the saddle.

As I will continue to stress throughout the program, it is not the exercises that make this program unique and effective. it is the principles applied to the exercises. 

I encourage you not to skip steps. This program is designed to train your physiological system, gradually, progressively, correctly, and successfully...this is why the program is 14-weeks long. 

What's the purpose of the first four modules?

The first four modules are therapeutic in nature.

What does THAT mean? 

This program was created based on common musculoskeletal dysfunction I see in almost every equestrian I treat. 

The therapeutic exercise programs are designed to influence your riding performance by improving the over-all FUNCTION of your lumbopelvic hip complex.

What's the purpose of the last two modules?

The final two modules build upon the foundation of the first four.

This is where the line between physical therapy and physical fitness to blur.

These modules are designed to OPTIMIZE your lumbopelvic hip function for equestrian performance.

What does THAT mean?

You will apply the physical therapy principles you learned in the first four modules to the performance-based exercise programs of the last two modules.

This is why my clients experience great results - they apply and incorporate the principles into their movement patterns - during exercise, during activities of daily living, and in the saddle. 

You will see what I mean, its a cool side effect of participating in this program!

Should I be assessed by a Physical Therapist prior to starting this program?

The short answer?

It depends!

This program is designed for equestrians who are currently riding and wish to improve their performance in the saddle. 

So, no. 

You do not need to be assessed by a Physical Therapist prior to starting this program if you are healthy, with no recent pain or injury to your back, pelvis or hips. 

Maybe. 

If you are healthy but want to make sure you are biomechanically as symmetrical as you can be, and you have no musculoskeletal restrictions that may need individualized treatment, in conjunction with this program, for best results, consider being assessed by a Physical Therapist. 

Most definitely, yes! 

If you have any recent injuries or surgeries, or experience pain in the lumbar spine, pelvis or hips, please do be assessed by a Physical Therapist. They can provide you individualized guidance prior to, and as you proceed through this program. 

How long do I have access to the program?

After you purchase the program, you have access to the program for 1 year.

After I have completed the full 14 week program, what do I do for maintenance?

In the last module, I make suggestions for how to proceed.

You can either continue on with the program (as maintenance) or apply the principles you learned to other exercise programs.

As you will see I am very specific on how to incorporate all modules into this program.

Riders really tend to love the last module's routine, so tend to work with it over a year's time, or longer.

References

Glanville, I.K. (2000). Moving towards health orient patient education (HOPE). Holistic Nursing Practice, 14(2), 57-66. http://doi.org/10.1097?00004650-200001000-00010